Situation Alert: Heavy Monsoon Rains Predicted for the Next Two Weeks

Background:

On September 2, the Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a weather advisory for the next two weeks stating that monsoon currents of moderate intensity are expected to penetrate continuously in the next couple of days that will affect most parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) during mid week and Sindh and Eastern Balochistan over the weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rains intensified across Pakistan yesterday. Roadways, bridges, and communications are reported affected in some parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and KPK, with media reports giving specific reference to effects in Peshawar. Areas already affected by rains in the previous week are at high risk of flash floods and urban flooding while the intensity of the predicated rains place a wider spread area at risk for flooding and damages to agricultural lands and livestock, infrastructure, communications, roadways, and bridges. (Please refer to ACT Alliance Alert and map)

Over the coming days, the extent of damages is expected to surface through media and government reports. The latest number of deaths confirmed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is 29 as of August 30, but this number is expected to rise.

CWS-P/A Response:

CWS-P/A is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with local partners. It is actively involved in coordination and meetings through the cluster system, the ACT Pakistan Forum, and the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF). It is prepared to respond if the need arises, and if funding permits, and has a detailed contingency plan in effect for the 2012 monsoon season. A limited quantity of prepositioned relief items including shelter kits, hygiene kits, and medicines are available in its warehouses while the procurement department is immediately prepared to procure food and non-food items. CWS-P/A also has mobile health units, a mobile laboratory, and an ambulance which can be mobilized quickly.